OE Patients

Tag: visual impairment

  • Living Better With AMD

    Living Better With AMD

    There was a time when a patient diagnosed with Age-Related Macular Degeneration was told, “You are going blind, and there is nothing we can do.”  Today we are much better informed, and we know that AMD causes impairment of the central vision (not total blindness).  We also know, there is plenty we can do to make the adjustments that enable us to continue productive lives. 

    Currently, there are treatments for about 10% of all AMD cases, as outlined in our recent article Hope For AMD.  For all patients, there are many ways to compensate for the changes in vision, while protecting and maximizing remaining sight.  Today’s AMD patient is active and engaged in solutions that include technology, accessibility, and wellness. 

    A willingness to make small changes is the key to successfully overcoming the adversity caused by any degree of vision loss.  Like all things achieved in life, this too requires effort.

    Here are 5 ways you can live better with AMD.

    • Daily Nutrition: Studies show, good nutrition has the power to prevent or slow the development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.  Do not delay, start today, form your own anti-AMD game plan. Read OE’s Anti-AMD Diet.
    • Perspective: Focus on the vision you have, do not dwell on the loss.  Take a moment each day to look around and take in your surroundings, appreciate all that you can see.  This will literally Improve Your Outlook.
    • Magnification: Make magnifiers your number one accessory.  Create your own collection of magnifiers for your daily tasks and keep them easy to access: one in your coat pocket, one in the kitchen, one on your desk, etc.  Explore the low and high tech options available in our article, Magnifiers Are A Must.
    • Technology: The power of accessible technology cannot be underestimated or overlooked. There is practically no limit to the compensatory value of mobile devices and computers that possess the ability to give you the visual or audible features that provide full access for everyone, regardless of acuity.  Browse OE Patients: Accessibility & Technology section.  Or go straight to a favorite on iPhone Accessibility.
    • Preserve Your Sight: No smoking and always wearing sunglasses outdoors, are good habits that will help protect your eyes, from these damaging causes, for the long term.  Read more on Sight Saving Habits.

    The ability to remain flexible and to keep making adjustments will empower you to continue doing the things you want to do.

    Tell us about your solutions for living with AMD.

  • Accessibility Matters When Choosing A Home

    Accessibility Matters When Choosing A Home

    There are many elements to contemplate when shopping for a new home, especially when you have a visual impairment.  Although it is always possible to fall in love with a person, or a place, or a job that will move you from a comfort zone into the unknown.  Don’t let that hold you back.  Move forward and live life, just approach your selection with intelligence, while considering the factors you require for independence.

    Moving is a big deal for anyone, so it’s essential to keep practicality at the forefront of your selection process.

    Don’t let a gorgeous living space trick you into thinking you can live in a place that is not generally accessible to you.  We are talking about the basics for living well, for continuing to do the things you need, and love, to do.  Good sidewalks, public transportation, and local shopping, can take on a new level of priority, when you don’t drive.

    City locales are naturally favored over rural areas because they offer greater convenience in closer proximity.  However, cities don’t guarantee comfort.  New York City, for example, is a dream destination for many, but it can also feel overwhelmingly hectic for others.  Within every city there are areas that offer higher degrees of favorability.

    Do your due diligence in scouting the right location. You decide what is essential to your well-being. Here are some important things to look at.

    Public Transportation: Look at the accessibility of railroads, buses, subways, etc.

    Walking: Are there walkable sidewalks, and crosswalks, to the places you will be going?

    Shopping: Is there a supermarket within walking distance? Is there a shopping center with a variety of stores? Dry cleaner? Hair salon?

    Climate: Is the weather generally good for walking year-round? Is the area prone to extremes in temperature, storms, or flooding?

    Fitness: Are you close to a gym, exercise studio, pool, or walking trails?

    Healthcare: Can you get to a doctor or dentist in the local area?

    Restaurants: It’s always nice to have good food nearby.

    Culture & Entertainment: Can you access movies, theater, and museums?

    Smarter cities are in the works, but urban planning and infrastructure overhauls are decades in the making. We look forward to transportation hubs with interior navigations systems. There are numerous apps in development as well, that hope to help us get wherever we want to go.

     

  • Top 10 Stories of People Thriving with Legal Blindness

    Top 10 Stories of People Thriving with Legal Blindness

    This year, we were delighted to share, on social media, a range of stories featuring artists, chefs, photographers and more, all living full and successful lives with visual impairments. Across age and industry, one quality ties these wonderful and inspiring narratives together — dedicated persistence in the face of challenges.

    Here are the 10 stories that were your favorites in 2018.

    Photographers and Filmmakers

    Digital camera against the window sill, with yellow strap.

    Digital camera against the window sill, with yellow strap.

    Bruce Hall, Photographer

    Bruce Hall is a legally blind photographer, teacher, and disability advocate. In his own words, Bruce “photographs in order to see”. His work has been published in textbooks and magazines, as well as featured internationally in art exhibits, such as the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian; the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.; and more. 

    Watch Bruce Hall in Apple’s “Behind the Mac” video.

    Tammy Ruggles, Photographer

    Tammy Ruggles is a legally blind photographer living with retinitis pigmentosa. Tammy does not let her condition deter her from pursuing work. Instead, she uses her camera as a second pair of eyes to see the world in new and beautifully creative ways. An admirer of Ansel Adams, Tammy’s photographic style leans towards high-contrast, classic black-and-white shots.  

    Read Tammy Ruggles’ piece on her photography and philosophy.

    James Rath, Filmmaker 

    James Rath is a legally blind YouTuber, filmmaker, activist, and public speaker, living with ocular albinism and nystagmus. He advocates for equal opportunities for all through his favorite medium of video. His work includes a spot for Apple, “How Apple Saved My Life”, highlighting the brand’s accessibility features; as well as a major digital campaign for Tommy Hilfiger’s accessible clothing line.

    Read more about James Rath.

    Visual Artists and Writers

    Closeup of green leaves being painted, with pencils next to the painting.

    Closeup of green leaves being painted, with pencils next to the painting.

    Robert Andrew Parker, Artist 

    Robert Andrew Parker is an 87-year-old artist living with macular degeneration, known for his paintings, as well as prints of figures, landscapes, and animals. He has illustrated more than 100 books, and has been recognized with notable awards, including a Guggenheim, a Caldecott Honor and an American Association Notable Book award. 

    Watch the short film on Robert Andrew Parker.

    Keith Salmon, Artist

    Keith Salmon is a legally blind British landscape artist, living with diabetic retinopathy. In his abstract paintings, he conveys the wild, free spirit of adopted home Scotland. An avid mountain climber and hill walker, Keith uses his expeditions to gather inspiration and material for his artwork. 

    Read the interview with Keith Salmon.

    Erica Tandori, Artist 

    Erica Tandori is a legally blind artist, academic and public speaker, living with macular dystrophy. Throughout her artistic and academic career, Erica has been dedicated to exploring the lived experience of vision loss, and what it means to “see”. Her painted landscapes are highly realistic, with a haunting, misty quality.

    Read the interview with Erica Tandori.

    Paola Peretti, Novelist 

    Novelist and Italian language teacher Paola Peretti was diagnosed with Stargardt macular dystrophy at the age of 17. The act of writing brought her clarity. Her debut children’s novel, titled The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree, features a young heroine with Stargardt disease. The book echoes Paola’s mantra of hope: “Never, ever give up”. 

    Read more about Paola Peretti.

    Chefs and Bakers

    Cupcake with icing, next to sprigs of dried lavender, on a wooden table.

    Cupcake with icing, next to sprigs of dried lavender, on a wooden table.

    Penny Melville-Brown, Baker 

    Penny Melville-Brown is a baker, who is also legally blind. She traveled to six continents over a year, meeting, cooking, and bonding with chefs, community leaders and other blind and visually impaired people along the way. She stopped by places like Costa Rica, Malawi, Australia, China and the United States, with her nephew documenting the entire world tour in a video blog series.

    Read more about Penny Melville-Brown.

    Benjamin Hsu, Chef

    Benjamin Hsu, a sushi chef living with ocular albinism, has keen senses. When he works, it’s his passion, deftness and love for food that is most visible and apparent. Benjamin doesn’t let his visual impairment faze him. “My vision, it just makes things a little bit harder, but it doesn’t matter because I don’t let it matter,” he says.   

    Read more about Benjamin Hsu.

  • Event Recap: App Happy

    Event Recap: App Happy

    Thanks to all who attended our accessibility session on Apps, coming out despite the Arctic blast that hit with a relentless mix of icy rain and snow.  The discussion was lively and always interesting and informative, exactly as we hoped it would be. People sharing their experience and learning from each other.

    We acknowledged, upfront, that the topic of apps is massive and could be discussed for days. Apps that help us compensate for vision loss are available in many categories. We have lots of choices, and selecting the apps we integrate into daily life is a very individual process.

    It was also delightful to note, that accessibility for people with vision loss is a priority, emphasized by tech leaders like Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.  Inclusive technology is shifting our expectations and bridging the gaps.  Although it’s not perfect…it’s really good.

    Finding the apps that work for you will make life a little easier.

    The recap that follows is a look at some specific apps and new developments we talked about at our “App Happy” session. It’s not only the apps with the bells and whistles that can change your life. Access to the basic built-in iPhone apps like Contacts, Camera, Messages, News, Clock, and Maps, can make a huge difference in your everyday.   

     

    Here are the apps that kicked off our “App Happy” discussion: 

    Seeing AI App (iOS Only)

    This app from Microsoft has been around for just over a year and has already expanded its channels and improved its performance noticeably. Built for iOS exclusively, but rumored to be adding Android soon. Read more about Seeing AI in our article here.

    9 Channels:

    • Short Text – Reads instantly
    • Document – Aligns and reads full page
    • Product – Barcode reader
    • Person – Facial recognition; fun but not sure how functional
    • Currency Reader – US and Canadian
    • Scene Reader – take a photo and it describes the scene and reads text
    • Color Reader – identifies color
    • Handwriting Reader – much improved for handwritten print or cursive
    • Light Indicator – changes tone to the direction of light

     

    Soundscape App (iOS Only)

    A “map with 3D sound” provides information about your environment. Also from Microsoft, exclusively for iOS (so far). Read more about Microsoft Soundscape in our article here.

    4 Channels:

    • My Location – figure out where you are, direction facing, points of interest
    • Nearby Marker – locations you have marked
    • Around Me – what’s in the 4 surrounding quadrants
    • Ahead of Me – street names, buildings, businesses coming up

     

    Aira App

    A new assisted navigation service provided by trained agents viewing your location by live video.

    • Log in as a guest to try in fee-free locations like Walgreens, AT&T, Wegmans and a growing list of airports and businesses
    • Also available for a monthly subscription starting at $89. for 100 minutes

     

    Be My Eyes App

    This app provides live video access to a network of 1 million volunteers helping 80 thousand people with vision loss in 180 countries.

    • Average wait for a volunteer: 30 seconds
    • Get help with appliances, electronics, instructions, identification, etc.
    • Not recommended to share private information
    • Newly partnered with Microsoft Disability Desk


    GalaPro App

    The app making New York’s Broadway shows accessible to audience members with vision and hearing loss, from the privacy of their own mobile phone. Read more about GalaPro in our article here.
    • Audio descriptions syncs with live performance
    • An accessibility kiosk in every theater helps get you started
    • Also, offers closed captioning and language translation 

     

    More App Happy audience favorites:

    Amazon App

    • Now with access to live Disability Hotline 888-283-1678 for shopping assistance.

     

    Alexa App

    • For Book Reading, Shopping, Calendar, Music, Recipes, Games, Translation and more.

     

    Amazon Prime Video App

    • Watch Prime Video on numerous devices with audio description.

     

    Apple News App

    • The standard iOS app that provides access to a large selection of curated news from major outlets including New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, CNN, Food Network and more.

     

    NFB Newsline App (iOS Only) 

    • The National Federation of the Blind now offers an app for iOS that extends their newspaper reading service to over 300 publications, for eligible users.

     

    Shazam App

    • An entertaining app that identifies music, movies, TV, and ads, after hearing just a short snippet. Apple recently bought the technology and now offers it on iOS, Mac OS, TV OS, and Watch OS.

     

    Drop us a note by email, or post a comment on our Facebook.

     

  • You’re Never Too Old To Learn

    You’re Never Too Old To Learn

    Having chaired a support group for more than 20 years in Florida, the land of seniors and thus the land of visual impairment, I see an interesting story.

    From my own observation at my meetings, where I often invite presenters, such as Magnifying America, Enhanced Vision, Optelec, Freedom Scientific, Magnifeye, OrCam, eSight, I see surprisingly little buying.

    There is interest, of course, as some of these new devices now are portable and can read to you, along with other delightful add-ons and gadgets to allow us to function as independently as possible.

    I know that I couldn’t function without one such device and I have four: one in my office, one in my bedroom and another on my patio, plus a “mini” that I carry with me.  These must-have devices of mine are video magnifiers, also known as CCTVs.

    I’m legally blind: 20/400 in my left eye and 20/300 in my right. I have lectured on the advantages of adaptive devices, iPhones, as well as others that have been developed over the years, and I would love to know what keeps some people holding back.

    I had a member recently call me asking where he could get a large-number flip phone. I said, “Get a smartphone. You don’t have to look for numbers, you just have to program the phone and then ask them to call that person.” Then I added, “Even if that person is not on your contact list, you tell the phone the number you need.”

    I don’t think a day goes by that I’m not on my computer. I wake up to search my email and close down at night, seeing what else came in. I do research, catch up on the news of the day and visit my friends and family as well as the stock market.

    The doctor tells us our hearing is bad and we run to buy a hearing aid for an average price of $3,000. We run to the eye doctor, retina specialist, or low vision optometrist, and fit new glasses, yet don’t run to buy a CCTV. We ask others to read our mail, may not be able to read a newspaper or magazine or book, yet hesitate to get an electronic magnifier to open up the world.

    One thing I picked up on while lecturing on “Low Vision Rehabilitation” really opened my eyes. A lady in the front row said, “Why should I bother? I’m 95 years old.” I came back with, “What are you waiting for?”

    No one knows for sure how much time we have left. Why not make the time we do have left as good as we can make it? If we can better our lives on this Earth, let’s go for it!


    Get started with OE resources:

     

  • Inclusivity Takes The Stage On Broadway

    Inclusivity Takes The Stage On Broadway

    The actor enters stage left to thunderous applause. You are not sure who this is, perhaps your loving companion will intuitively whisper the name in your ear, or maybe you’ll recognize the actor’s voice. The theater burst into an uproarious laugh, but you have no idea what was so funny? Even access seating in the first few rows may not be close enough to see the subtle gestures and facial expression. You wish there was a voice in your ear, a narrative track that keeps you in the loop.

    Wish granted. That’s right, as of June 1, 2018, Broadway has taken a giant step forward in making live theater more accessible for people with vision and hearing loss.  The new inclusivity measures offer audio description and closed captioning at every performance, beginning four weeks from any production’s opening night.

    How did they do it? Technology, of course. There are two options available for accessing audio descriptions. One is a simple listening device borrowed from the theater, the other is an app, accessible by smartphone.

     

    An empty theater stage lit with dramatic lights.

    Customers can pick up an infrared listening device, at the accessibility kiosk in the theater’s lobby. A state issued ID or passport must be left in exchange for the borrowed device.

    The GalaPro app features audio description and closed captioning. It syncs with the show for a real-time accurate experience. The app can be downloaded and set in the theater. Staff at the accessibility kiosk will help you set it up and get started. Airplane mode assures your phone will be quiet during the performance as it runs on private wifi. The app also extends inclusivity to international visitors with a language translation feature.

    Broadway has been offering accommodations to its patrons for many decades, on a smaller scale. The current and very ambitious initiative, by The Broadway League, significantly advances the industry’s commitment to creating an inclusive theater experience that potentially impacts more than 20 million adults affected by vision loss, and nearly 50 million Americans experiencing some degree of hearing loss.

    Broadway wants to be seen and heard by everyone, so go ahead and give this new technology a try.  It might just give you back something you thought was lost.

     

    Here’s a link to Playbill’s video showing Broadway’s new accessible technology.

    http://www.playbill.com/video/chicago-audio-accessibility

     

  • Seeing AI Is A Gift From Microsoft

    Seeing AI Is A Gift From Microsoft

    We love technology that empowers… especially when it gives us back something vision loss has taken. Microsoft’s Seeing AI app is all that. It is an intelligent camera that reads text on the go and tells you who and what is around you.

    Seeing AI is a sweet surprise of a package filled with stuff you’ll want. Get back to reading signs, documents, and products on the go.  And get more detail about the people and scenes you’re not seeing clearly.

    The interface is clean and nicely designed. It’s relatively easy to acclimate to, but the more you use it…the better you get. There is a Quick Help Guide in the upper right of each channel, with both text and a video tutorial.

    Here’s a rundown of the Seeing AI channels…

    • Short Text – hold the camera over text and it reads, just like that. Use it on signs, price tags, tickets, mail, packages, etc. Start reading everything in and out of sight.
    • Documents – the camera guides you to photograph the entire page and reads back. Navigates headings in documents with VoiceOver, particularly useful in reading restaurant menus. (Similar to the KNFB Reader app.)
    • Product – a bar code reader with audio guidance. In the grocery store, for example, you’ll be able to identify the brand and flavor on the ice cream container, or the fat content of the milk, or if the bread is wheat or white.
    • Person – use the camera to scan and tell you about the people around. Facial descriptions include an estimate of age and expression. Set face recognition to announce the name of someone you know when they come into view.

      Microsoft Seeing AI app describing a person sitting outside.
      Microsoft Seeing AI app describing a person sitting outside.
    • Scene – take a photo and hear the description of the scene. 

    The accuracy is very good, but not perfect. Like you, it is still learning. Help the process by sharing your thoughts and experience with the developers. There’s a link to send feedback directly from the Menu.

    The Seeing Ai app is free, available in the App Store. This is by no means a small token, it is a meaningful gift. Not long ago, technology designed for people with visual impairments was available only at very hefty prices. 

    The best is yet to come. Microsoft says this is just a glimpse into artificial intelligence.

    For latest updates to Seeing AI, read our full article here.

    Microsoft’s “Seeing AI” Video

    Please note that this article was not paid for, affiliated with, or endorsed by any third-party companies. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s.


    Originally published on August 11, 2017 and updated on August 3, 2018.

  • Microsoft’s Inclusive Workplace

    Microsoft’s Inclusive Workplace

    The 28th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) reminds us the law prohibits job discrimination and requires the provision of ‘reasonable accommodations’ for employees with disabilities, except when such accommodation would cause undue hardship.  That is, the undue hardship of the employer, not the employee.

    The need for accessible technology in the workplace often created both the accommodation and the hardship.  In fact, it was not so long ago, that the word “accessible” was mostly preceded by the word “not.”  Special third-party assistive technology was usually required to add screen magnification and speech to a desktop computer.  Because it was by nature a retrofit, the special software could be incompatible with some systems and was rarely supported by a company’s IT staff. It was not always seamless or elegant but, what really mattered was, it could keep you working, long after vision loss might have otherwise shut you down.

    That was then. Now the accessibility is built into the operating systems and the applications we use at work, decreasing the need for that awkward conversation, with an employer, to request an accommodation. The significance of this cannot be understated. It empowers employees with vision loss to make computer adjustments, as needed, and continue working without major interruptions. And in today’s workforce, it’s not even unusual to adjust your visual settings or to use speech features. It’s actually quite normal.

    ADA surely set the stage for the inclusive work environment still unfolding decades later.  The 21st Century Telecommunications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) also must be credited for triggering the impressive progress in elevating the equality of access for all. In this scenario, it appears, legislation and innovation converged for the greater good.

    In somewhat of an equal measure, we have Microsoft to thank for elevating the accessibility of its enterprise software. Satya Nadella took the helm of the tech giant in 2014 with a strong desire to embrace accessibility, inspired by the needs of his son, born with cerebral palsy.  Just 4 years later the company’s products and workforce clearly reflect this major priority.  Jenny Lay-Flurrie, who is deaf, was appointed Microsoft’s Chief Accessibility Officer in 2016.  She is an enthusiastic champion for all people with disabilities and a powerful advocate for an inclusive workplace.

    Here are some of the built-in Microsoft Accessibility features for Vision, designed to make your computer easier to use.

    • Customize Colors for Increased Contrast
    • Do Things Quickly with Tell Me
    • Make Windows 10 Easier to See
    • Use Accessibility Checker
    • Use Magnifier to Enlarge Text & Images
    • Learn Keyboard Shortcuts to Move Faster
    • Customize Your Mouse Pointer
    • Use Narrator to Read Screen Text
    • Use Seeing AI for iPhone to Read Text, Identify People, Currency & Color, Read Product Barcodes, Describe Scenes

    *Please note, while these features accommodate a large majority of the population with vision loss, they are not meant to replace screen reading software for totally blind and non-visual computer users.

    Learn more about all of it on Microsoft’s Accessibility page.

     

    And, no need to figure anything out on your own, just call:

    Microsoft Disability Answer Desk – 800-936-5900

     

    Jenny and Satya at Abilities Summit 2018

     

    More on the subject from OE Patients:

     

  • Doctor, Am I Going Blind?

    Doctor, Am I Going Blind?

    To the question, “Am I going blind?,” the answer is most often, “No.”

    For the great majority of patients diagnosed with disease-causing progressive vision loss, use of the word “blindness” actually does not apply.  Fortunately, most patients treated for degenerative diseases retain some degree of visual function.

    While the amount varies (dependent on disease type, severity, persistence, and progression), it is far more accurate to describe most cases as visual impairments and not as blindness.

    Obviously, total loss of light perception is the ultimate fear.  Ophthalmologists must be extremely careful in their discussions with patients to address this fear.  While some diseases are severe, most can be limited.

    Macular Degeneration

    A frightening diagnosis always, and is the most common ocular disease in older age.  Some forms are genetically inherited and present in adolescents, teens, and much younger adults.  Although often described as the “leading cause of blindness in people over 65,” it is highly unlikely and extremely rare that it results in loss of light perception or blindness.  Macular degeneration generally affects the central vision, leaving peripheral intact.

    Progression of the disease is slow in most cases and can be well compensated.  Patients are able to continue their full and productive lives, making some adjustments and utilizing magnification and speech in widely available accessible technologies.  A strong mental approach coupled with a willingness to learn, are proven factors in maximizing remaining vision and enjoying life.

    Diabetic Retinopathy

    Diabetes-related eye disease is another common malady often associated with the reduction in normal sight.  While historically unrelenting, attention to medical and ocular problems early in the course of diabetes have completely altered the potential for devastating visual loss.  With current and updated treatments, visual loss can be prevented or at least limited.  Often, patient cooperation and participation in treatment is the key to success for diabetics.

    Glaucoma

    Primarily a disease of superficial retinal loss associated with elevated pressure within the globe of the eye.  The earliest patterns of visual loss from glaucoma are peripheral, not central, so a reduction of visual field can go relatively undetected by the patient.  As the disease progresses, more of the peripheral field is lost, followed finally by the loss of the central areas.

    Fortunately, with treatment and early recognition by a qualified professional, visual loss can be prevented or limited.

    Legal Blindness

    Many have heard the term “legal blindness” and automatically interpret it to mean “blindness.” Legal blindness is a government definition or statute utilized to determine qualification for disability benefits.  The definition requires 20/200 vision or worse in the best eye with correction in place or visual field limitation to 20 degrees in diameter.  The condition causing the vision loss must be present or expected to be present, for one year or more.

    Legal blindness does not mean “no vision” and many people with this degree of vision loss live very full visual lives, albeit with a significant visual impairment.  On the other hand, “blindness” is usually understood to mean “no visual perception”.

    Clarification of the language associated with vision loss is critical, especially for those on the receiving end of these difficult words.  Speak with your ophthalmologist.  Make sure you understand your visual status and to what degree it is likely to change over time.  Most of the time vision can be preserved and loss can be limited.

  • Low Vision Awareness: Time to Get Organized

    Low Vision Awareness: Time to Get Organized

    A visual impairment that causes an acuity of 20/70 or less (in the better eye) and is not correctable with standard prescription glasses, or medical treatment, is considered ‘low vision.’  Although the term seems self-explanatory, it is not universally known, used predominantly by professionals in the field of vision rehabilitation and ophthalmology.

    People with low vision can benefit from higher powered magnification that may take the form of glasses, handheld devices, stand magnifiers and desktop video magnifiers. These specialized magnifiers range from 3x to 30x.  A low vision evaluation with a specialist is a good opportunity to see what works best for you.

    Patients are not typically referred for vision rehab services until they are legally blind (20/200 in the best eye), because that is when fees for services are covered. So living with a progressive vision loss is your best advantage to get into the habit of making adjustments long before legal blindness.

    Getting organized is key to living successfully with low vision. It may not be as easy to look for things as it once was.  A neat and tidy environment will compensate in substantial ways. Think about how nice it is to open a drawer and find exactly what you’re looking for because it is right where you left it. With low vision often it is easier to put our hands on something before our eyes see that it’s there.

    Let’s face it, everyone feels better when they’re organized. It gives us all a better sense of security. Like all good things we do for ourselves, order is something we have to work at and get into the habit of maintaining.

    Here are some tips for re-organizing:

     

    Declutter

    This can be a difficult exercise for many people, but it is the absolute most important first step. Get rid of the stacks of catalogs and unopened junk mail you are never going to look at. Arrange for some help from a friend or a professional. Let it go. Purge! This eliminates a major safety hazard and it’s truly cathartic.

     

    An organized drawer with folded clothing.
    An organized drawer with folded clothing.

     

    Clothing

    Overstuffed, disorganized closets are totally unpleasant and way too difficult to find anything in. Get rid of the clothes that don’t fit or haven’t been worn in a while. It’s always good to be able to move hangers easily to find what you’re looking for. Set up the closet as you like, by category, color, season. Keep things neatly folded on shelves or as preferred. Get shoes in order on door organizers or on racks, keeping them out of your path to prevent stumbles. Dressers also crave coordination, as does the coat closet. Might be wise to get some help here to look over the clothes and make sure they’re looking good.

     

    Cooking utensils neatly placed in a drawer kitchen organizer.
    Cooking utensils neatly placed in a drawer kitchen organizer.

     

    Kitchen

    A place filled with cabinets and drawers is just asking to be organized. Cooking utensils and silverware should be neatly arranged so you can put your hand on the item you’re looking for. Consider using brightly colored utensils or contrasted dishes for better visual ID. Organize food pantry items as preferred and keep everything in it’s designated place. Keep favorites up front. Use textured bump dots for touch identification on frequently used appliance settings.   

     

    Bathroom

    This is usually a small room that houses many small products where order is essential. In the bathroom, less is always best. Pare down to the everyday items. Keep cabinet shelves tidy. Do your best to remove clutter from surfaces. Put away or discard items not used often.

    Eliminating chaos among your things will help you every single day. Explain to family members, and remind them from time to time, the importance of keeping your world organized. 

     

  • Accessibility Bridges the Visual Divide

    Accessibility Bridges the Visual Divide

    Accessibility is a term that knows no bounds, defining the ease of use of technologies, services, and environments. At one time associated mainly with disability, its prominence now is largely driven by universal design and the aging population. Smart developers know that for a product to be successful it must be easily adoptable by people of every age. No dumbing-down required.

    The new age of accessibility is a game changer for people with vision loss in particular. We are no longer relegated to the stigma, or the expense, that “special” technology has traditionally carried. Using the same popular devices everyone else is using has incredibly healing and renewing properties, and gives us back some sense of normal. It is ultimately about inclusion.

    The most disappointing thing about these amazing developments is that far too many people are unaware that accessibility exists, and they continue to needlessly struggle with daily tasks! We can all help to change that. Screen settings and speech applications can significantly benefit all patients experiencing any and every degree of vision loss. They just need to know it’s available.

    In 2008, Apple delivered the iPhone with Accessibility Settings built into every phone, at no extra cost, which expanded usability to people with low vision or no vision. The move marked a pivotal shift in mainstream accessibility and Apple became the undisputed leader in this important evolution.

    The iPhone became the most adopted device, ever, among people with vision loss. It is also the most multiple-use device ever available for vision. Today the iOS options under Accessibility Settings for Vision include VoiceOver, Zoom, Magnifier, Larger Text, Bold Text, and Increased Contrast. These settings, along with Siri’s AI (artificial intelligence) and Dictation features, are not just beneficial for people with serious visual impairments…they’re good for everyone!

    In 2010, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) was signed into law, mandating equal access to digital, broadband, and mobile devices for people with visual impairments or blindness. This is why all smartphones and tablets now have accessibility features included. It is also why all cable providers now offer customers the option to enable talking TV guides and menus. We now have an abundance of choices. Although all are not created totally equal, we can expect Android phones and tablets are accessible. Amazon’s Kindle eReaders and Fire tablets are accessible. Google, Microsoft, and Apple all make universal access a standard.

    Accessibility apps also play a meaningful role in improving function for people with visual impairments. There are apps that are magnifiers and flashlights; apps that take notes and send reminders; apps that convert text to speech; apps that help you take a well-focused photograph; and apps that read signs and locate transportation.

    This range of useful options isn’t limited to just cell phones and tablets — Microsoft Windows PC and Apple’s Mac computers can also be depended on for magnification, speech, dictation, and voice commands. People often give up computer use once the screen becomes too difficult to read. They don’t realize that they can adjust the technology to their needs, every step of the way. This is particularly important for people at work. The great majority of low vision users can continue to work, uninterrupted, with a little help from their IT Department to set it up to suit their particular needs.

    Taking an even bigger leap forward, Apple launched a dedicated Accessibility Support phone line to assist their customers with visual, hearing, motor, and learning impairments. The Verizon Wireless Accessibility Center followed. Next came the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk. Comcast, the leader in cable accessibility, offers dedicated phone support. Recently, Google announced that they, too, are preparing to launch a special support line. Amazon does not yet offer dedicated support, but they do have staff well versed in accessibility for Kindle, Fire and Echo accessibility.

    It is a life-changing innovation, and this is just the beginning — the best is clearly yet to come. Intuitive and predictive technology, interacted with by voice, is the next big frontier. Smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home are already popular and accessible for people of all ages and acuities. A powerful reminder that we are more alike than we are different.

     

    Image Credit: Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital | Northwell Health

    Image Credit: Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital | Northwell Health

     

    Image Credit: Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital | Northwell Health

    Image Credit: Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital | Northwell Health

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    To read the PDF version of this article click here

     

    Article first published in Manhattan Eye, Ear, & Throat Hospital | Northwell Health, Winter 2017 Newsletter

     

  • Consider The Long White Cane

    Consider The Long White Cane

    A close up of a long white cane on a street with yellow lines.
    A close up of a long white cane on a street with yellow lines.

    Vision loss can elevate feelings of insecurity, on many levels. Actively making adjustments helps maintain or regain the confidence to continue doing the things you need, and want, to do. That includes getting around safely.

    Taking a fall is unpleasant at any age.  Getting back up, in one piece, is not always easy. What you don’t see can definitely hurt you. The long white cane is a very useful tool in preventing falls.

    The white cane is still believed by many to indicate total blindness. But everyone should be aware, this is a tool that significantly improves mobility for people with low vision.  And it is increasingly being utilized by older adults with all kinds of visual impairments.

    Although it can restore confidence and independence, the white cane remains a difficult step for many to take. The reluctance commonly felt about using the cane, is almost always replaced by the sheer empowerment it offers.

    Use of a cane will greatly reduce the risk of injury. It provides feedback about the path ahead, changes in elevation, and alerts to obstacles. It will help you orient to conditions of darkness or bright glare. The cane will also inform others of your visual impairment.

    A professional Orientation & Mobility Specialist should always be consulted for proper training in the use of a long white cane. Contact your local vision rehabilitation center or ask your physician for a referral.

    Long white canes are lightweight and easily retractable. They fold up to a small bundle that fits into a tote or backpack. And they open up again with the flick of a wrist. 

    Don’t allow fear to curtail your freedom. The upside of cane use will far outweigh the downside.